Roger du Plessis, 79, of Harrold, passed away Monday, July 6, 2020 at the Highmore Health.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2020 at New Life Church in Pierre with Pastor Jake Krahn officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blunt. A reception will follow at Smith Farms, rural Harrold, following the burial.

Roger was born in Pretoria, South Africa to Jonannes and Johanna Wilhelmina (van der Westhuizen) du Plessis. Roger’s early childhood was difficult and surrounded with poverty and turbulence but that did not hold him back from making his life a success. His life was soon filled with successful business ventures and exciting trips all over the world. Many people knew him for all the interesting stories that he would tell of his earlier days. He was an entrepreneur by heart always looking for the next business opportunity. At about the age of 22, he opened up his own successful butchery. Next, he started his own advertising company called Poster 4 Display. He designed large square public trash bins and sold advertising space on these bins which were placed on the streets throughout South Africa. His next business adventure was creating the first mini commercial factories in Kwa-Zulu Natal. These business endeavors kept him remarkably busy. Following this, he started a newspaper company with his brother called UmAfrika. He was always passionate about reading every newspaper that he could get his hands on. Roger would spend many evenings pouring over all his newspapers from cover to cover. His favorite being the Star Tribune Newspaper. He always kept current with every political topic as this was his absolute favorite topic of discussion and debate. He was always up to date with every bit of world news. At any given time, it was not uncommon for him to have several newspapers around him while he relaxed in his lazy boy chair in the evenings.

His other passion was traveling, and he took every opportunity to do this with his family; taking several trips to Europe and the United States over the years. He loved learning about different cultures, engaging in conversation, and trying all the local foods no matter how strange. His favorite foreign dish was sheep brain sold from a street kiosk in Turkey. His love for travel and foreign food was a delight.

His hobby was collecting antiques, clocks, and Persian rugs from Greece, Israel, and Turkey. His favorite country was Israel. No man could meet his match when it came to bargaining with merchants at local bazaars for the best deal. Many school holidays were spent at beach cottages and he would spend hours harvesting mussels off the rocks to eat. His biggest adventure was remodeling a retired Sea Rescue sailboat into a comfortable family sailing boat. His dream was to sail the high seas. In 1986, he set sail with his family to circumnavigate the African continent which took a period of two years including an ocean voyage of 40 days straight.

Roger loved life to the fullest and was such a positive person and very seldom would you ever hear him complain. He was generous in nature and was always willing to help someone in need. He was a great Father and a devoted Grandfather. There are so many fond memories of him playing on the floor with his grandkids or reading them books and helping them with schoolwork. His favorite subject was math. It is with sadness that his life was slowly robbed with Alzheimer. He drew much comfort from his beloved Boston Terrier dog Tinkerbell. Despite his struggles he always had a cheerful smile waiting for you. He had fortitude of spirit. His highlight of the week was always coming to church and we are so thankful that he was baptized and made Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. He was scheduled to attend his Citizenship Ceremony on the 13th July but now he has his citizenship in Heaven. He will be greatly missed.

His memory will be cherished by his children: Bradford (Carryn) du Plessis of South Africa, Phaedra (David) Kock of South Africa, Hayden de Plessis of Dallas, Texas, and Natasha (Travis) Smith of Harrold; grandchildren: Pearl, Brock, Megan, Abbey, Jenna, Kyle, Tannah, Browan, Jessica, Stuart, Ethan, Zoe, and Hannah; his siblings: Sandy Ibig of South Africa and Denise Thorn of South Africa; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Irma Shannahan; and Desmond de Plessis.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Roger’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net

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